Bittersweet hearing John's one-of-a-kind beautiful songs. Miss him so much and so grateful for the time he shared with us, the gift he left. Thank you, John.
I love John Denver, he was in his prime when I was coming of age. Every song brings such deep reflective feelings and memories. They even played "Leaving on a Jet Plane" when I graduated from stewardess training in the 70's. All these years later, that song makes me tear up remembering my grandfather pinning on my wings. If you want a beautiful love song, listen to "Annie's Song" John wrote to his then-wife. Thanks for the memories Harry. ☮&❤
Thanks for that wonderful story Cindy. John's music got me through some hard times back in the 70's and I never forget him because of it. His music touches the heart and soul.
So glad that someone has finally reacted to this beautiful and simple song. I have a special memory associated with this song, but it's not an important memory... its just one of those moments that inexplicably becomes permanently burned into your memory for no apparent reason. It was winter of 73/74 when I was about 14, and I was going up to the mountains with my best friend's family for a long weekend, to play in the snow. The car was quite full with 7 of us and all our gear, so I ended up sitting in the front seat between Diana's mom and dad. It was early morning, and we were driving eastward, into the rising sun. Because it was early, everyone was still pretty quiet and mellow. The sun beating in through the windshield felt so lovely and warm, and it was making the snowy landscape and frosty trees all sparkly. This song, which I'd never heard before, came on the radio. It perfectly matched my mood as well as the general mood in the car. I've always remembered that moment. It is one of the few days that I call "diamond days." Thank you for doing this song. 💜💙
My son has always loved this song !(he has high needs autism and epilepsy,just turned 31) he says"mama it's sunshine,i love sunshine" he rocks and sings it,in his beautiful off key way!(no matter where we are) Brings tears to my eyes everytime.john denvers music has always held a special place in my heart.
Another of John’s wonderful ‘get high on nature, get high on life’ messages. He was such a special gift to us for awhile. So thankful for his beautiful music. Very nice reaction, Harri. 💜 from Texas.
Glad you guys listened to these. When I was young I saw him live in concert. He played guitar himself alone on stage. He is still one of my favorites. He was a good guy, very into the environment. Built a small plane unfortunately crashed it in Monterey CA on the shore. Wonderful talent like a lot of the best never got to get old. All his songs are great.
I was a young adult in John’s heyday. I’ve always thought he had one of the most expressive voices ever. Sad songs or happy ones, his voice was always perfect.
John Denver was so popular in the 70s, especially at the environmental studies college I attended. This is one of his most popular. He loved nature and the outdoors and it was often the theme of his songs. You mentioned the strings in the background. Lee Holdridge did a lovely instrumental album of Denver’s songs. You would probably really enjoy it. This song relaxes me 😃
This is the Ultimate Hippie Song (not in a bad way)!! I always liked this one (though most would not consider me a Hippie by any stretch)! No offense to Hippies meant!!! Peace, Love! This has all of that!
The last phrase of the whole song, with the long held note ' almost alwa......ys', with his voice almost breaking, is definitely one of my favourite moments in all of music.
I remember being angry, in 6th grade, that this song only made it to #2 on the charts -- it was topped by "Seasons in the Sun" of all things. I was already a huge John Denver fan, and though this wasn't my favorite of his songs I wanted to see him get the recognition he deserved. Or something like that -- my 6th-grade brain wasn't quite fully wired yet.
Just another soothing masterpiece from a man who appreciated nature like I do. His velvety voice and descriptive lyrics paint such beautiful pictures. 🌺✌️
I remember my mom having a record player and playing her records of him, beach boy and other amazing groups so I'm always glad to see a generation descorver these songs makes me smile
Harri* I love your plunge down the *John Denver Rabbit Hole* you got good taste my friend..! His music just makes you feel *GOOD* it's inescapable......
Lovely reaction, Harry. You're such an empath. Fun fact:John suffered severe depression. This was written on an overcast day in Minneapolis when he was depressed. He started thinking of things that gave him joy and sunshine was one of them. He was surprised how positive the song came out & was a sign that there is always another day.
I just looked up a song that his wife Annie said her favorite song he wrote was Perhaps Love. I googled it 1982 Apollo Theatre London. He said it was the best song he had written as well. He had a little background story and sang it. It had me in tears. I highly suggest you react to this version. You won't be disappointed.
There was actually a movie in the 70's called Sunshine on my Shoulders based on this song. I remember the wife had cancer and her husband was caring for her until she passed. It was a real tear-jerker as I recall. I loved the song long before the movie. Miss you John.
I always associate this song and another of John's songs (My Sweet Lady) with the film, Sunshine, that came out in the early 70s. Based on a true story and a real tear-jerker.
Sometimes I wonder if my love of the outdoors and nature is in some way attributable to John Denver, and songs like this we had in the house from my earliest memories. Truly beautiful stuff. Hated those freezing cold Detroit winters in the 70s though, but this song just made me explode with joy at the coming of spring, they were synonymous to me.
I love your reactions to John’s songs. I feel so blessed to have lived while he was here, filling our lives with his heartfelt songs. I was born the same year John was, and his music became the soundtrack of my life. I saw John in person 16 times over the years and his live concerts were always deeply spiritually moving experiences. Because his music is so emotionally healing, As a therapist I often recommended that my clients “Take two John Denver songs and call me in the morning.” There are three songs that I would recommend you listen to and react to. “The WingsThat Fly Us Home” from his “Spirit” album, and “Poems, Prayers, and Promises” and “For You” both of which are on his live “Wild Life Concert” album done in the mid 90’s. I always enjoyed the way his voice matured as he got older. I know that I can truly say that his “voice in my ear is like heaven to me.”
I love to see the energy shift in you from the beginning of the song to the end....mellowed, receptive, and content. I used to listen to him endlessly in the 70's because that is how he made me feel.
This inspired a TV movie, of course titled SUNSHINE, which was popular enough to inspire a summer TV series also titled SUNSHINE! The song is indeed an enduring favorite.
I miss JD. The critics were always harsh to John. "This song is too slow, this song is too that..." Nobody cared what the critics thought. This was his first #1 hit. Everybody loved John when I was growing up. I got to see him live in 1980. I cherish the memory and its even more special to me now.
Always remember this song. As a nation lost trying to find it's soul we were coming out of the throes of the Vietnam war. It was a time of reflection people were looking deep within themselves looking for hope. Thanks John for those immortal words sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy......we knew with time things would get better.
Thanks you are the first to review. If you liked please try my other pick by John. Back Home Again Another one of my top favorite by John. Again thanks. Sunshine was the song played at my wedding a long time ago.
Harri, if you like the emotive freedom - that feeling of flying, of the majesty of nature and of the sheer joy of being alive - of John's songs, you should definitely react to "The Eagle And The Hawk".
First and only song I could play on guitar was Country Roads! John was a great story teller. Very honest and vulnerable. Harri. Thanks for the post. Love your program ❤
This song sure takes me back. I’ve always been a John Denver fan. His pure angelic voice always calms me. Thanks for the memories Harri ☮️❤️🌻👵🏼 You should check out “Grandma’s Feather Bed”. It’s a lot of fun 🤩
Had this played at mums funeral a couple of months ago. Made me sob.. Will always remind me of mum sitting in the sunshine on her garden bench and taking a break with a cuppa tea 🌞🌞
Hi Harri, Thank you for your beautiful reaction to a legend , taken from all of us so young . Your Analysis was spot on as always. R.I.P. John ❤️🙏😢So missed .
I grew up sitting in the back seat of the car with my sister and singing this song. My mom could only take it for so long because we were out of tune lol. Definitely was one of my favorite songs as a child.
I love John Denver, he was such a gentle soul. Way back in 1972 I joined the U S Air Force. I left home for the first time! Flying out to go to Basic Training, over the the planes intercom they played "LEAVING ON A JET PLANE" que up the instant tears! I still get misty eyed every time I hear it.
It's testament to John Denver that he was pretty much the only 'pop star' that my father liked. Born in 1915 and growing up in the pre-rock and roll era, he hated the pop and rock stars of the '60s and '70s. But, to him, John Denver made 'proper' music, with melody, harmony and emotion, and lyrics of an uplifting nature.
Beautiful reaction, Harri. When I was 5 years old, back in the 70's, my dad started playing this song on his guitar for me. I still remember the incredible images it painted inside my young mind. It's one of my very best memories in life. Thank you, my brother.
This was my mother's favorite song. Growing up I think I heard it over a thousand times. You should see the reactions I get when I play it on jukebox at any bar I go to.
His talent is pretty amazing, the song comes first then the performance on the guitar and the vocal and ability to hit and hold pitch in a long ago era without studio trickery
March of 81 I was at a friends house. We were 16 yrs old and searching his house for a buck or two for a gal or two of gas for his Mazda. The radio was on and "Sunshine on my Shoulders" was playing. This was the only time I've ever heard the radio interrupted with "we interrupt this program to bring you a special news bulletin". I still think of this every time I hear this song.
I find it heartbreaking as it is closely tied to a film it was used in (called Sunshine) about a young mother dying of cancer and some of the lyrics take on a new meaning.
1st time I heard this song I was in a park on a summers day by the beach in Santa Monica with my high school girlfriend on a beautiful summers day like he wrote that song just for us every time I hear it that perfect moment wraps itself all over me once again cool reaction I think the high he feels is that feeling of complete peace
I remember Jose Feliciano was on a talk show & jokingly sang, "Sunshine on my shoulders gives me sunburn, Sunshine in my eyes can make me blind..." lol! Joking aside, it's a gorgeous song. One of John's best songs. Check out "Fly away" with Olivia Newton John. I remember they did a TV special together in the 70's & it was great. That song is also beautiful.
